Trading standards investigators from the UK's West Sussex County Council have recently visited fourty-two mobile phone retailers in the county and had to issue warnings about retail law to nearly half of the shops.
"Forty-five per cent of them displayed restrictive statements, such as 'No RefundsÃ', or displayed restrictive time scales in relation to refunds for faulty handsets. They have all been advised on the law and the offending signs removed," said Alison Wheeler, Trading Standards Team Leader.
"Signs such as 'No RefundsÃ' are restrictive because consumers are entitled to refunds if goods are faulty, not fit for purpose or not as described and the goods are returned in a reasonable length of time.
"This should not be confused with many large retailersÃ' policy to refund on unused goods if returned within 28 days."
Alison said it is the traderÃ's responsibility to sort out problems, not the manufacturer.
"However, proof of purchase must be retained - without it a trader may refuse to deal with you."
Peter Evans, County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: "ThereÃ's no doubting the popularity and convenience of mobile phones and there are many bargains available.
"But thatÃ's no excuse for retailers ignoring the rights of consumers, which is why our Trading Standards Officers carried out this clampdown."
Posted to the site on 5th October 2008
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